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Continuous Improvement Director Jobs in Rochester, MN

Benchmark

Senior Director, Supply Chain

Rochester, MN · On-site

$185K - $209K/yr

Plan, budget, organize and direct flow of work to meet both internal and external expectations • Utilize Continuous Improvement principles and drive efficiencies and quality enhancements within ...

Bayer

National Account Dir Health Systems

Rochester, MN · On-site +1

$177K - $266K/yr

National Account Dir Health Systems National Account Director - Health Systems - USA PURPOSE The ... to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to best practices; Work with Learning and ...

Mayo Clinic

Director - AI Digital Biology

Rochester, MN · Hybrid

$204K - $306K/yr

Responsibilities The Director - Artificial Intelligence (AI) leads the engineering and research ... continuous improvement. * Financial & Resource Stewardship: Support budget planning, resource ...

Mayo Clinic

Director - AI Digital Biology

Rochester, MN · On-site

The Director - Artificial Intelligence (AI) leads the engineering and research team that builds and ... continuous improvement. * Financial & Resource Stewardship: Support budget planning, resource ...

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Continuous Improvement Director information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$11.2K

$142K

$186.5K

How much do continuous improvement director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for continuous improvement director in Rochester, MN is $141,983.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,500.00 and $160,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a continuous improvement director do?

Your job duties as a continuous improvement director revolve around working on process improvement, efficient business activity, and the realization of goals within a business or organization. Your responsibilities include assessing current performance results and coming up with strategies for improvement. You may focus on improving interdepartmental relations, communication between team members, or project management. Employers also expect their continuous improvement director to facilitate training and professional skills development and create a comprehensive strategy for improvement.

What does a continuous improvement director do?

A Continuous Improvement Director leads initiatives to enhance business processes, efficiency, and quality across an organization. They analyze existing workflows, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other process optimization methodologies. Their role often includes training staff, measuring the impact of changes, and fostering a culture of ongoing improvement. By driving these initiatives, they help organizations achieve better performance, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a continuous improvement director?

To thrive as a Continuous Improvement Director, you need expertise in process optimization, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and a background in operations management, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with process mapping tools, data analytics platforms, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and communicate change are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies drive sustainable operational efficiency, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

What are some typical challenges a continuous improvement director faces when implementing change initiatives across an organization?

Continuous Improvement Directors often encounter resistance to change from employees who are accustomed to established processes. Building buy-in requires strong communication skills and the ability to demonstrate the value of new initiatives. Additionally, aligning improvement projects with overarching business goals can be complex, especially in large or cross-functional organizations. Successful directors prioritize stakeholder engagement and foster a culture of continuous learning to help teams adapt smoothly to changes.

What is the difference between Continuous Improvement Director vs Process Improvement Manager?

AspectContinuous Improvement DirectorProcess Improvement Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a Six Sigma, Lean, or similar certification; bachelor's or master's degree in business, engineering, or related fieldOften holds Six Sigma or Lean certifications; similar educational background
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in corporate or manufacturing settings, overseeing multiple projects and teamsOperational focus, managing specific process improvements within departments or teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, healthcare, and corporate sectors to drive continuous improvement initiativesCommonly found in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries focusing on process efficiency

The Continuous Improvement Director focuses on strategic, organization-wide initiatives to enhance processes, while the Process Improvement Manager concentrates on executing specific process improvements within teams. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in scope and level of responsibility.

More about Continuous Improvement Director jobs

What job categories do people searching Continuous Improvement Director jobs in Rochester, MN look for?

The top searched job categories for Continuous Improvement Director jobs in Rochester, MN are:

What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Continuous Improvement Director jobs?

Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Continuous Improvement Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Continuous Improvement Director job openings in Rochester, MN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,983 per year, or $68.3 per hour.

Senior Director, Supply Chain

Rochester, MN

Crenlo Engineered Cabs
501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Crenlo Engineered Cabsexternal

$177K - $201K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a multi-year supply chain strategy aligned to company growth, cost, and quality objectives across all manufacturing sites.

  • Own supply chain performance metrics, including on-time delivery, inventory turns, supplier lead time, and total supply chain cost, and report results to executive leadership.

  • Lead, coach, and develop a multi-site team of procurement, category management, and planning professionals.

Crenlo Engineered Cabs rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Supply Chain leads Crenlo Engineered Cabs' end-to-end supply chain strategy across procurement, category management, materials planning, supplier quality, and logistics, in support of our operator cab manufacturing facilities in Watertown, SD, Rochester, MN, and Greeneville, TN. This role builds a resilient, cost-competitive, and scalable supply base that enables on-time delivery to our OEM customers in the off-highway vehicle industry, while driving total-cost-of-ownership improvements and mitigating supply risk. The role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance, and reports into the corporate office in Bentonville, AR.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Leadership

  • Develop and execute a multi-year supply chain strategy aligned to Crenlo's growth, cost, and quality objectives across all manufacturing sites.
  • Own supply chain performance metrics, including on-time delivery, inventory turns, supplier lead time, and total supply chain cost, reporting results to executive leadership.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a multi-site team of procurement, category management, and planning professionals.
  • Partner with Operations leadership at each facility to align supply plans with production schedules and capacity constraints.
  • Drive standardization of supply chain processes, systems, and reporting across the three manufacturing sites.
  • Represent supply chain in S&OP (sales and operations planning) and new program launch reviews.

Procurement

  • Direct sourcing, negotiation, and contracting activities for direct materials (steel, glass, electrical components, hardware, coatings) and indirect spend.
  • Establish procurement policies, approval workflows, and governance in line with Crenlo's Oracle EBS procurement processes.
  • Lead supplier selection and qualification for new part numbers and new program launches, working cross-functionally with Engineering and Quality.
  • Negotiate master supply agreements, pricing, and terms to protect margin and ensure supply continuity.
  • Oversee supplier performance management, including scorecards, corrective action, and business reviews.

Category Management

  • Build and maintain category strategies for major spend categories, balancing cost, quality, lead time, and supply risk.
  • Conduct should-cost modeling, market and commodity analysis, and total-cost-of-ownership assessments to inform sourcing decisions.
  • Identify and lead cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives in partnership with Engineering.
  • Manage category-level risk, including single-source exposure, commodity volatility, and geopolitical or tariff risk, and develop mitigation plans.
  • Lead make-versus-buy analysis and supplier consolidation or diversification initiatives as needed.

Materials Planning, Logistics, and Systems

  • Ensure materials planning and inventory strategies support on-time production across all sites while minimizing working capital.
  • Partner with logistics providers and internal teams to optimize inbound freight, warehousing, and distribution costs.
  • Champion effective use of Oracle EBS and Microsoft 365 tools for supply chain planning, reporting, and collaboration.
  • Support continuous improvement and digital transformation initiatives within the supply chain function.
Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive supply chain, procurement, or category management experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
  • Experience in a discrete manufacturing environment; experience with metal fabrication, cabs, heavy equipment, or off-highway/automotive components strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated success negotiating supplier contracts and driving measurable cost savings.
  • Experience leading multi-site teams and working with geographically distributed manufacturing operations.
  • Working knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle EBS or similar) and Microsoft 365 tools.
  • Strong understanding of supply chain risk management, including single-source mitigation and commodity/tariff exposure.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at the executive level.

Preferred

  • APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) or ISM/CPSM certification.
  • Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) or new program launches with OEM customers.
  • Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification.
Travel

This role is based at Crenlo's corporate office in Bentonville, AR, with regular travel (estimated 25-40%) to manufacturing facilities in Watertown, SD; Rochester, MN; and Greeneville, TN, as well as occasional supplier site visits.

Physical and Work Environment

Primarily an office environment with regular time spent on manufacturing floors during site visits, requiring adherence to facility safety protocols including PPE use.

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive supply chain, procurement, or category management experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
  • Experience in a discrete manufacturing environment; experience with metal fabrication, cabs, heavy equipment, or off-highway/automotive components strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated success negotiating supplier contracts and driving measurable cost savings.
  • Experience leading multi-site teams and working with geographically distributed manufacturing operations.
  • Working knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle EBS or similar) and Microsoft 365 tools.
  • Strong understanding of supply chain risk management, including single-source mitigation and commodity/tariff exposure.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at the executive level.

Preferred

  • APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) or ISM/CPSM certification.
  • Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) or new program launches with OEM customers.
  • Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification.
Travel

This role is based at Crenlo's corporate office in Bentonville, AR, with regular travel (estimated 25-40%) to manufacturing facilities in Watertown, SD; Rochester, MN; and Greeneville, TN, as well as occasional supplier site visits.

Physical and Work Environment

Primarily an office environment with regular time spent on manufacturing floors during site visits, requiring adherence to facility safety protocols including PPE use.

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